If you are enrolled in courses that do not count in your "Program of Study" also known as degree audit or degree plan,these courses cannot be used to determine your enrollment status for financial aid purposes, unless they are eligible remedial courses.  You will not receive aid for courses that are not in your "Program of Study".

FAQS

What is a Program of Study (for financial aid purposes)?

A program of study are courses needed to complete a degree or eligible certificate program.

What types of aid will this affect?

This will affect both federal and state aid.

How will this affect my Cost of Attendance (COA)?

Your COA will be adjusted based on your enrollment in courses needed to complete your program of study.  For traditional students, the COA will be adjusted and locked on the 12th class day for the Fall/Spring semester and the 4th class day of Second Half Term for Sumemr.  If you are enrolled in the accelerated on-line program, your COA may be adjusted up until the last module's (part of term) census date.  Please contact our office for more information.

I am an undergraduate student enrolled in 15 credit hours, however only 12 of the credit hours are in my program of study (degree plan). How will this affect my financial aid? 

For financial aid purposes, an undergraduate student enrolled in 12 or more hours is considered to be fulltime. So as long 12 of the credit hours you are enrolled in are in your program of study (degree plan), your aid will not be affected.

I am a graduate student enrolled in 12 credit hours, however only 9 of the credit hours are in my program of study (degree plan). How will this affect my financial aid? 

For financial aid purposes, a graduate or professional student enrolled in 9 or more hours is considered to be fulltime. So as long 9 of the credit hours you are enrolled in are in your program of study (degree plan), your aid will not be affected.

How will courses needed for a dual degree, a double or triple major be treated?

If you’re seeking a dual degree, a double or triple major, you MUST declare each major for the courses to count as a financial aid eligible course.  You may lose eligibility for certain types of financial aid if you complete the degree requirements for one of the majors before the others. 

I am working on a major and a minor. How will courses needed to complete my minor be treated?

If a course is filling a minor requirement the minor must be officially declared and reflect in the degree evaluation by the census date to count in the student's enrollment for financial aid.  Once you have completed all degree requirements for your major, you will no longer qualify for financial aid, even if you haven't completed your minor.

What if I only need one more class (3 hours) to graduate?  Can I enroll in another 3 hour course to be eligible to receive loan money?

You may only receive aid for courses needed to fulfill your degree or certificate program.

How will remedial courses be treated?

Eligible remedial courses will count in the student's enrollment status for financial aid purposes.  A student may take up to 30 remedial credit hours.

What if my advisor is allowing me to substitute a course?

If an adjustment is required, it must be approved and entered in your degree evaluation by the census date.  Please speak with your advisor to ensure this is complete by the census date.

How can I see if the courses I'm enrolled in are in my program of study?

You can view your degree audit by logging into your Self-Service Banner account.  Select the "Student" tab and then "Degree Audit".

Examples

Example 1

You are enrolled in 6 hours (half-time), making you eligible for Direct Loans.

• If enrolled in a 3 hour class that is not listed as counting towards your degree, then you are only enrolled in 3 financial aid eligible hours and therefore no longer eligible to receive a direct loan.
• You will still be charged the tuition and fees associated with these courses but will be ineligible for Direct Loans.

Example 2

You are pell grant eligible and enrolled in 12 hours (full-time), making you eligible for the maximum pell award based on your EFC.

• If enrolled in a 3 hour class that is not listed as counting towards your degree, you are only enrolled in 9 (three quarter-time) hours for financial aid purposes and will receive less pell.
• You will still be charged the tuition and fees associated with these courses but will only receive pell for the courses in your program of study.

Example 3

You only have one 3 hour course remaining to graduate,but you enroll in an additional 3 hour course so that you are classified as a half-time student to receive direct loans.

• You are not eligible for direct loans because only 3 hours are needed to complete your program of study.

 Example 4

You are seeking a degree in Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. The minor in Mathematics is not a requirement for your Engineering degree.  You have completed all the requirements needed to graduate with the Engineering degree, however you still need two classes to complete the minor.  You have not applied for graduation because you want to wait until you complete your minor so that you can graduate with both at the same time.

•  Because you have satisfied all of the requirements of your major, even if you choose not to apply for graduation, you are no longer eligible for financial aid.